BUCKHOLTS, TX — Community members are protesting after they say their school district decided to not renew the contracts of a number of teachers and administrators.
Some Buckholts ISD students and parents are protesting the loss of educators that are more like family.
Community members say the school district recently decided not to renew the contracts of at least five teachers and administrators.
"They do not deserve this whatsoever," said freshman Elizabeth Pratt.
The Texas Education Agency reports Buckholts ISD received an accountability rating of Improvement Required from 2013 to 2017. In 2018, the district received a rating of C or Met Standard. In 2019, the district finally received an A rating.
Pratt says the teachers whose contracts will not be renewed played a big role in getting their rating up.
"They've always been here, even stuff out of school that we needed help with, they've been there to help us," said Pratt.
Buckholts ISD parent and former school board member Sebastian Cazares decided not to protest.
"There's some really good, good people that didn't get renewed, and the people on the board are very you know are nice people also," said Cazares. "The hardest part is the fact that the community being so small that it's divided us."
He says he is hoping for the best for his community and its students.
"We're still all a family," said Cazares.
Protesters are also urging school board members to resign.
The district has chosen not to address the issue at this time. Their only statement was “Buckholts ISD does not comment on personnel matters.”
